Arsenal played hosts to Watford in the Premier League looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat away at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. The Gunners started the match on the frontfoot and it paid off in the 8th minute thanks to Shkodran Mustafi’s goal. The Hornets responded well after conceding and defended brilliantly to go into half-time with only a goal down.
However, the home team went into another gear in the second half and doubled their lead in the 59th minute courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike. Henrikh Mkhitaryan put the icing on the cake when he scored in the 77th minute to hand Arsenal a well-deserved 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Let’s take a look at how each Arsenal player fared during the contest.
GK: Petr Cech – 7/10
He saved his first penalty in Arsenal colours and kept his 200th clean sheet by putting in a solid display in goal for the Gunners.
LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7/10
He used his pace well both offensively as well as when facing his own goal to cap off an impressive showing at the Emirates Stadium.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi – 7/10
He put in a brilliant display at the heart of the Arsenal defence and lead by example. The defender scored the all-important opener which gave his team an ideal platform to go on and bag the three points.
CB: Rob Holding – 7/10
He looked solid as part of the Gunners backline and won some crucial headers to keep the Hornets attackers at bay.
LB: Sead Kolasinac – 6/10
He was an outlet for the Gunners down the left flank but his crossing was poor on the day.
CM: Mohamed Elneny – 8/10
He played a positive game and bossed the Gunners midfield. He put in one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt and deserved to be the man of the match.
CM: Granit Xhaka – 7/10
Not as good as Elneny, yet he did well and went close with his long-range attempt.
RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7/10
He scored the third goal which capped off a wonderful victory for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
CAM: Mesut Özil – 7/10
The German was unlucky not to score but did well to grab an assist on the day.
LM: Alex Iwobi – 6/10
He was a good presence in midfield but came out second-best in most occasions.
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6/10
He squandered a glorious opportunity early on but did well to get his name on the scoresheet and help wrap up the three points for the Gunners.
Substitutes:
LM: Danny Welbeck – 6/10
He came off the bench to provide an outlet for the Gunners down the left flank.
CB: Callum Chambers – 7/10
The defender came on and did well to secure maximum points for his team and earn a vital clean-sheet.
CM: Jack Wilshere – N/A
He had too little time to make an impact in the game.
